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Show Review: Beyoncé @ CenturyLink Field

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 18: Beyonce performs during the Formation World Tour at CenturyLink Field on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Daniela Vesco/Parkwood Entertainment)

Beyoncé showered her blessings on Seattle last Wednesday, May 18th in a performance that displayed why she is one of America’s great artists. Sexy dance moves, gorgeous vocals and costumes, and a hot damn stage set combined to make a most excellent show. Just when I thought there’d be any kind of lull in the excitement, something else cool would happen. I am certain that every single person at the concert (all 77,000 of them) was totally moved.

The Formation Tour’s event included fireworks and a giant square, rotating screen that opened and closed, making very creative spaces for Beyoncé and her dancers. I think there were approximately eight female dancers who wore matching outfits and danced as one with Beyoncé. While Beyoncé was, of course, the center of attention, the dancing seemed more of a troupe than just having a supporting role. That all band members were female also emphasized Beyoncé’s status of feminist icon. The production was so detailed you’d need to see the show many times to catch everything, but then you’d still miss some neat element. The huge cube turned purple for a moment to remember Prince by playing “Purple Rain.”

Several of my friends on Facebook posted, in some way or another, that the show was a religious experience. I agreed, and had posted, before I read others’ posts: #beyonceblessed. Tracks off the set list that especially got me going: “Formation,” “Yoncé,” “Bow Down,” “***Flawless,” “Kitty Kat,” “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” “Ring the Alarm” (including a wicked Doors’ sample and appearance of Beyoncé sitting on a golden throne – it looked totally normal), “Diva,” “Blow,” “Naughty Girl,” “Drunk in Love” and “Partition” (during which Beyoncé got that couch out – you know the one – and the giant square placed the dancers into individual doors with flashing lights – kind of like in the video). And always remember, as Beyoncé warned: “A diva is a female version of a hustla.”

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 18: Beyonce performs during the Formation World Tour at CenturyLink Field on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Daniela Vesco/Parkwood Entertainment)

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 18: Beyonce performs during the Formation World Tour at CenturyLink Field on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Daniela Vesco/Parkwood Entertainment)

SEATTLE, WA – MAY 18: Beyonce performs during the Formation World Tour at CenturyLink Field on Wednesday, May 18, 2016, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Daniela Vesco/Parkwood Entertainment)